[TowerTalk] remote station protection

[Jim Lux]

At 05:22 PM 7/23/2005, Jim Jarvis wrote:

>Doc wrote:
>
>Can someone discuss the complications of implementing something like
>this in a high lightning area like central Florida?
>
>Despite full PolyPhaser protection I still like to physically disconnect
>the rig when the heavy storms blow in -- something I could not do with a
>remote site.
>
>-0-
>
>The answer is serious disconnects on all lines.  It means relays that both
>disconnect lines and ground radio I/O & pwr.  Not to forget rotor control &
>cet.
>Even with that, there's an element of risk in running a remote site.
>
>It's an interesting project to engineer, though, and I, for one, am looking
>forward to reading details of N8lp's setup.
>
>n2ea
>jimjarvis at ieee.org

There's two sorts of situations.. and two sorts of goals

is the goal:
Zero impact from lightning regardless
OR
Save the expensive equipment.


1) When the remote station is not being used...  Seems that coax relays 
that ground the cables to a low impedance ground will protect the gear, 
although the relays might sacrifice themselves.

2) When the station is in use: use suppressors, pray, and have an insurance 
company or replacement budget to cover the times they don't work.

Considering that lots of commercial (and amateur) stations have antennas 
outside, in Florida, connected all the time, without too many disasters, 
makes it seem that perhaps it's not all that hard.   I doubt that repeater 
owners disconnect their radios when storms approach.  Sure, every once in a 
while, something takes a hit, but I think with decent design, you can 
achieve the desired results.

On the other hand, if you're thinking that your Rockmite connected to the 
100 foot tower with a piece of zipcord is going to survive...